World Champion Mads Pedersen withdraws from Paris-Nice to return home to Denmark

World Road Race Champion Mads Pedersen will not start the final stage of Paris-Nice from Nice to Valdeblore La Colmiane, his Trek-Segafredo announced today.

“As a Team we always said that we would respect the authorities in this emergency,” said Pedersen. “My country has asked that all Danish nationals go home as soon as possible, so in agreement with the team I’m not taking the start this morning to respect this decision.”

Danish citizens currently abroad have been encouraged by the Danish government to return to the country immediately.

“If you are already abroad, you should return home as quickly as possible,” Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said at a Danish government press conference on Friday evening.

“It is sad to leave my teammates just before the final stage but we believe that respecting authorities is what we have to do,” said Pedersen. “I hope that by racing in these days we gave relief to many cycling fans.”